Display package

ABSTRACT

A display package or carton allowing for the mounting and display of hardware items, such as a door handle key lock assembly whereby a separate internal insert serves both as a mounting surface for displaying the item and as a structural member for providing rigidity to the overall package. An external component in the form of an outer box is provided to engage and enclose the internal insert in such a manner as to provide a sturdy package with an attractive &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;shadow box&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; appearance. The internal insert is comprised of a planar sheet blank which can be folded or formed to have a triangular cross-sectional configuration. This triangular configuration provides rigidity to the outer box component. The outer box-like member has two side panels, two end panels and two sets of end flaps. The end flaps are constructed so that one set of end flaps engage each other to enclose one end of the package. The other set of end flaps are configured to fold inwardly on themselves to engage one of the surfaces of the triangular internal inserts in such a manner as to provide a physical stop to position the internal insert and to provide an opening with a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;shadow box&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; appearance for displaying the item mounted on the internal insert.

United States Patent Purciel DISPLAY PACKAGE 1 [72] Inventor: Larry R. Purciel, Sherman Oaks,

Calif.

[73] Assignee: Tool Research Engineering Corporation, Beverly Hills, Calif.

[22] Filed: May 27, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 147,377

[52] US. Cl ..206/45.19, 206/4533, 229/14 C, 229/15, 229/23 R [51] Int. Cl. ..B65d 5/50 [58] Field of Search...206/45.l4, 45.19, 45.33, 46 R, 206/46 H, 65 S, 80 A; 229/14 C, 15, 22, 23

Primary Examiner-Joseph R. Leclair Assistant Examiner-Steven E. Lipman Attorney-Spensley, Horn & Lubitz [151 3,692,173 [451 Sept. 19,1972

[57] ABSTRACT A display package or carton allowing for the mounting and display of hardware items, such as a door handle key lock assembly whereby a separate internal insert serves both as a mounting surface for displaying the item and as a structural member for providing rigidity to the overall package. An external component in the form of an outer box is provided to engage and enclose the internal insert in such a manner as to provide a sturdy package with an attractive shadow box" appearance. The internal insert is comprised of a planar sheet blank which can be folded or formed to have a triangular cross-sectional configuration. This triangular configuration provides rigidity to the outer box component. The outer box-like member has two side panels, two end panels and two sets of end flaps. The end flaps are constructed so that one set of end flaps engage each other to enclose one end of the package. The other set of end flaps are configured to fold inwardly on themselves to engage one of the surfaces of the triangular internal inserts in such a manner as to provide a physical stop to position the internal insert and to provide an opening with a shadow box appearance for displaying the item mounted on the internal insert.

14 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEUSEP 19 I972 SHEET 1 OF 2 mpm PU/QC/EL INVENTOR DISPLAY PACKAGE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION be attractively displayed and selected by purchasers without having to open the package.

2. Description of the Prior Art In'the past certain types of goods, particularly hardware materials, lock handles and door knobs have been typically packaged in such a manner that in order to properly display such goods they had to be removed from the packages or containers in which they were shipped and mounted on separate display boards or fixtures. Further, it was difficult to determine the styl appearance, design and/or configuration of the contents of the packages without opening the package or making reference to'a catalog number is such a number was used on the container to indicate the contents. This latter deficiency of the prior art packages often complicated proper inventory control.

Some attempts have been made to display various hardware items in so called plastic bubble packages. However, most of these packages are often suited for lightweight and rather small items only. Typically, such a package includes a flat cardboard member and a plastic member adhesively mounted over one side of the flat member with the goods to be displayed disposed between the flat member and the plastic layer. Such an arrangement is not suited for goods having a relatively bulky configuration and/or a multiplicity of parts which must be compactly packaged. Further, it would be difficult for such a configuration to have the desired strength and rigidity when the goods to be displayed are heavy, such as a handle key lock set including the mounting components.

Various other attempts have been made to package and display relatively bulky hardware items such as lock assemblies. Many of these other attempts involve the utilization of a planar transparent material (e.g., cellophane, or the like) on one surface of the carton so as to provide a flat window on the package. Typically, the window surface comprises one of the exterior surfaces of the package and thus is often ripped or punctured during handling of the package. From an appearance standpoint, such packages generally provide a view of all the components rather than a view of those selected components which show the goods in an attractive manner similar to the environment in which they will be ultimately used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a novel display package, or carton which is simple in construction yet easily display the item for inspection without mounting the same in a separate display. Inventory of various models can be easily ascertained by visual inspection. The fshadow box appearance is extremely attractive for displaying certain types of products (e.g., handle key lock assemblies) and the contents displayed are protected against scratches and abuse by a suitable plastic film. If desired, the other components not displayed can be observed by opening the rear flaps.

The invented assembly includes an outer or external box structure with the flaps at one end folded inwardly to form an open end and to provide a shadow box effect'. Also, an internal insert is provided which servesas a mounting member for the item to be displayed and for other related parts and hardware. The insert when folded is preferably of triangular cross section to simply and effectively provide rigidity for the entire display package. The flaps at the open end serve as mechanical stops to hold the insert assembly in the desired location and to prevent the insertassembly from sliding through the open end. If desired, provisions can be made for including optional packages within-the overall display package by providing the necessary folds and cuts in the internal insert.

The invention will be better understood in view of the drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment which follows hereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The following is a description of the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a preferredembodiment of the invented display package in which is mounted an entry key lock assembly;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a sheet blank used to make the outer box member of the display package shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the outer box member after folding and assembly the sheet blank shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the internal insert shown in FIG. 1' on which the handle key lock andits related parts and hardware are mounted;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 and shows in phantom lines the manner in which the internal insert is folded to obtain a triangular cross-sectiona1 appearance;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the internal insert after it is properly folded;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8' is across-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the display package taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8 with a portion of the rear flaps partially broken away to expose the contents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The overall appearance of the invented package in which is housed a handle key lock assembly is shown in FIG. 1. It is apparent that the handle and lock portion which will be mounted on the exterior door surface is fully displayed in an attractive manner for inspection by the purchaser. The unique structure of the invented display package will now be described in detail as it is used with a handle key lock assembly. However, it should be understood that other products and product contents including other types of hardware components can be similarly displayed in the invented package.

FIG. 2 illustrates the single planar sheet blank 12 which is utilized to form the outer box portion of the invented display package. Typically, the sheet 12 can be made of any suitable material such as fiberboard, cardboard and preferably of a conventional corrugated construction having smooth facing sheets on both sides of a corrugated member.

The sheet blank 12 is provided with appropriate cuts and fold lines at predetermined positions to form the required panels and flaps. For example, sheet blank 12 is properly scored to provide horizontal fold lines 14 and 16 which extend across the entire width of the sheet blank 12. Sheet blank 12 is scored to provide vertical fold lines at 18, 20, 22 and 24 and these vertical fold lines together with horizontal fold lines 14 and 16 define the appropriate boundaries for the panels, flaps and tab members required.

With reference to FIG. 2 it can be seen that fold lines 14, 16 and 18 define side panel 26, front side flap 28 and rear side flap 30. Fold lines 14, 16, 20 and 22 define side panel 32, front side flap 34 and rear side flap 36. Fold lines 14, 16, 18 and 20 define end flap 36, front end flap 38 and rear end flap 40. Fold lines 14, 16, 22 and 24 define end panel 42, front end flap 44, rear end flap 46 and tab member 48.

In addition to the fold lines described above, certain portions of the sheet blank 12 are cut at predetermined places in order allow assembly of the sheet blank into an outer box member. Thus, cuts are made along fold line 18 at points 50 and 52, along fold line 20 at points 54 and 56 and along fold line 22 at points 58 and 60. Also, cuts are provided in the rear end flaps 40 and 46 at points 62 and 64, respectively. Fold lines are also provided at points 66 and 68 of rear side flaps 30 and 36, respectively to form tab members T1 and T2, respectively.

FIG. 3 shows how the outer box 10 appears after the sheet blank 12 is folded and assembled to form the desired'configuration. It should be noted that the tab member 48 is glued or otherwise adhesively secured to the side panel 26 to cause the blank 12 to become a box-like enclosure. The flaps 28, 34, 38 and 44 are folded in and back on themselves to form an opening 0 as shown in FIG. 3. Also, it should be noted that the tab members T1 and T2 are bent at right angles to the flaps 30 and 36 and the tab members T1 and T2 are inserted adjacent one another into openings 62 and 64 in the split rear flaps 40 and 46, respectively, to provide an enclosed rear portion in the outer box assembly 10.

The second major component of the invented display package consists of a planar sheet blank 70 made of similar material to that of sheet blank 12. Sheet blank 70 contains vertical fold lines 72 and 74. Optionally a vertical fold line 76 and horizontal cut 78 may also be provided for purposes that will be described in detail hereinbelow.

The fold lines 72 and 74 define the boundaries of a center surface area 80, a first side surface area 82 and a second side surface area 84 in the sheet 70. In order to best illustrate how the insert assembly 104 is formed from the sheet blank 70, a typical entry handle key lock 86 and its associated components will be mounted on the insert blank 70. Generally, the insert sheet blank is placed in a flat position and various of the parts to be mounted on are put through precut holes in the sheet blank 70. A suitable flexible and elastic type plastic film 106 is then pulled over the parts and usually vacuum sealed to the parts and sheet 70 to tightly surround and hold the various parts or components on sheet 70. Certain of the parts which are flat and lightweight do not require insertion into any precut holes and can be held in place on the sheet 70 merely by applying and pulling the elastic type plastic film 106 tightly around the parts thereby sealing the parts to the sheet 70. I

In FIG. 4 it can be seen that a handle key lock 86 is mounted with the main exterior surface facing upwardly on the center surface 80. Various parts and hardware required to complete a finished lock installation are mounted on the side surface area 76 by the plastic film sealing technique previously described. For example, the following conventional lock parts and hardware can be mounted as shown in FIG. 4; inside rosette 88; latch 90; knob 92; inside back plate 94;

mounting screws 96; strike 98 and keys 100.

An opening 102 is provided in side surface area 84 for allowing the lower portion 108 of the handle key lock 86 to extend through side surface area 84 when the sheet is folded. (See FIGS. 5 and 7).

When all the components have been secured to the sheet 70, the sheet is folded at fold lines 72 and 74 to form an insert assembly 104 having a substantially triangular cross section as shown in FIG. 5 (in phantom lines) and in FIG. 6.

After folding, the triangular insert assembly 104 is placed into the outer box 10 by opening the rear side flaps 30 and 36 and the rear end flaps 40 and 46 and then disposing the insert assembly 104 into the outer box 10 in such a manner that the center surface area and the handle key lock 106 face toward the open end 0 of the outer box 10. The width and height dimensions of center surface 80 are selected so that when the insert assembly 104 is disposed within the outer box 10, the ends of front side flaps 28 and 34 and front end flaps 38 and 44 engage the surface 80 and act as mechanical stops to position the insert assembly 104 in the outer box 10 and to prevent the insert assembly from sliding through the open end 0 of the outer box 10. This structure is best seen in FIG. 7 where it is apparent that the dimensions of center surface 80 cause the assembly 104 to be rigidly retained by the front, side and end flaps. The depth L of the front side flaps 28 and 34 and front end flaps 38 and 44 is selected to be slightly greater than the dimension of the object protruding above the center surface 80 so that any object mounted on center surface 80 will preferably not extend beyond the equal heights of the panels 26, 32, 36 and 42. Thus, in FIG. 7 it can be observed that the handle does not protrude beyond the sides of the open end 0 of the outer box 10.

When the insert assembly 104 is disposed within the outer box 10, the side surface area 82 is directly adjacent the interior surface of the side panels 32 of the outer box 10. The center surface area 80 is at right angles to the side surface 82 and is kept in position by the ends of the front flaps previously described and shown in FIG. 7. The side surface 84 of sheet 70 extends from the interior surface of the other side panel 26 to the lower portion of side surface 32 in such a manner as to complete a right triangle in which the side surface area 84 forms the hypotenuse.

It can be seen from FIG. 7 that the opening 102 serves to allow the lower portion of the handle key lock 108, which typically consists of a spring latch and button assembly, to extend through the surface area 84 in such a manner that the surface area 84 can complete the hypotenuse of a right angle without any interference from the lower portion 108.

As previously mentioned, the sheet blank 70 was provided with an optional vertical fold 76 and if desired a cut may be made at 78. This structure allows certain optional materials which may be separately packaged to be secured within the confines of the invented display package. In the case of the handle key lock being illustrated and described herein, it is often desired to 7 package an additional lock assembly for another door (e.g., a back or side door) which can be opened with the same key as the displayed handle key lock. Typically, such an additional lock assembly is a separate component and is completely packaged in its own container 110. Also, this component normally need not be displayed since its design is more conventional and of not much interest to the purchaser. By providing the fold 76 and a cut 78, panels 84(a) and 84(b) can be folded into an upwardly extending V shaped member (as viewed from the rear of the package) to allow for the insertion of container 110 when the rear flaps of the outer box member 10 are opened. The length of the panels 84(a) and 84(b) are dimensioned to closely approximate the size of the container 110. When the container 110 is properly inserted, one side of the container 110 is flush with the inner surface of side area 82, the bottom of container 110 rests on the inner surface of the centerportion 80 and the edge of panel 84(b) contacts the other side of the container 110 to keep it in position. The ends of the container 110 are held in position between the end panel 42 and the edge of panel 84 located at the position of the cut 78. FIGS. 1, 8 and 9 illustrate how the optional container 110 is disposed in the invented display package. Once the insert assembly 104 is inserted in position as described hereinabove, the rear end flaps 40 and 46 are folded inwardly and the tab members T1 and T2 are inserted into the slots 62 and 64 to completely enclose the rear end of the invented display package as best shown in FIG. 1. Also, when optional container 110 is supplied, the tabs T1 and T2 contact the top of container 110 and serve to eliminate any substantial movement in the downward direction. (See FIG. 8).

In order to obtain an attractive shadow box effect it is usually best to have the exterior sides of front flaps 28, 34, 38 and 44 a different color than that of center surface area 80. Usually all the exterior surfaces of outer box 10 are initially provided with the desired color and with any necessary printing or other indicia.

One of the features of the invented display package is that by opening the rear flaps 30, 36, 40 and 46 all the hardware mounted on surface 84 are visible without having to unwrap or destroy the package.

It should be noted and understood that in the preferred embodiment shown in the drawing, the ends panels 30 and 36 are of different size and the slots 62 and 64 are not in the center of rear end flaps 40 and 46. This off-center arrangement (as shown in FIG. 7) is required so that the closed tab members T1 and T2 do not interfere with the lower portion 108 of the handle key lock which is axially and centrally located in the outer box 10. This off-center arrangement would not be required if the item mounted on center surface for display does not extend down far enough to interfere with the tab members T1 and T2. Also, the opening 102 on side surface 84 is required only when the item mounted on center surface 80 extends down low enough to interfere with side surface 84 when it is folded to obtain the desired triangular configuration.

The embodiment described above is only exemplary of the invented concept and the invention is not intended to be so limited. For example, one or more of the front flaps could be formed with integral tabs which would mate with or lock into suitable openings or recesses in the center surface of the insert member to more positively hold the insert in the outer box member, if desired. Also, a stiffening member (e.g., a planar corrugated sheet) with a suitable opening therein for passing over the protruding handle portion could be inserted into the open end of the box to substantially cover the center surface of the insert to provide additional rigidity and to minimize tearing or ripping of the plastic film. Other similar modifications which are within the scope of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A package for displaying selected product contents comprising:

an outer box member having a pair of side panels, a

pair of end panels, a set of front flaps and a set of rear flaps, said front flaps being folded inwardly on themselves to define an open end in said outer box member, said rear flaps engaging each other to enclose the end of the box opposite said open end; and

an internal insert for mounting the product contents having first, second and third surfaces formed into a right triangular cross section, the first of said insert surfaces forming a side of the right triangle and disposed adjacent one of the side panels of said outer box member; the second of said insert surfaces forming a side of the right triangle disposed across the open end of the outer box member and a portion thereof engaging the ends of said front flaps to retain said insert in the outer box member, the third of said insert faces forming the hypotenuse of the right triangle extending angularly between said side panels of said outer box member, whereby the internal insert provides rigidity to the overall display package and said second surface serves as a means for attractively displaying certain selected contents through the open end of said outer box member.

2. The package of claim 1 in which said outer box member and said internal insert are made from a corrugated cardboard material.

3. The package of claim 2 in which the outer box member is formed from a single planar sheet provided with predetermined fold lines and cuts.

4. The package of claim 2 in which the internal insert is formed from a single planar sheet provided with predetermined fold lines and cuts.

5. The package of claim 4 in which openings are provided in one or more of the surfaces to accommodate the mounting of the product contents.

6. The package of claim 4 in which said internal insert is adapted to receive an elastic plastic film thereover.

7. The package of claim 4 in which the internal insert is adapted to accommodate the packaging of optional contents by having thereon certain fold lines and cuts which can be optionally folded to provide means for receiving said optional contents in said display package.

8. A package for displaying a handle key sembly comprising:

an outer box member having a pair of side panels, a

pair of end panels, a set of front flaps and a set of rear flaps, said front flaps being folded inwardly on themselves to define an open end in said outer box member, said rear flaps engaging each other to enclose the end of the box opposite said open end; and

an internal insert for mounting said handle key lock assembly having first, second and third surfaces formed into a right triangular cross section, the first of said insert surfaces forming a side of the right triangle and disposed adjacent one of the side panels of said outer box member; the second of said insert surfaces forming a side of the right triangle disposed across the open end of the outer box member and a portion thereof engaging the lock asends of said front flaps to retain said insert in the outer box member, the third of said insert faces forming the hypotenuse of said right triangle extending angularly between said side panels of said outer box member whereby the internal insert provides rigidity to the overall display package and said second surface serves as a means for attractively displaying the handle key lock through the open end of said outer box member.

9. The package of claim 8 in which said outer box member and said internal insert are made from a corrugated cardboard material.

10. The package of claim 9 in which the outer box member is formed from a single planar sheet provided with predetermined fold lines and cuts.

11. The package of claim 9 in which the internal insert is formed froma single planar sheet provided with predetermined fold lines and cuts.

12. The package of claim 11 in which openings are provided in one or more of the surfaces to accommodate the mounting of some of the components and mounting hardware for the handle key lock.

13. The package of claim 11 in which said internal insert is adapted to receive an elastic plastic film thereover.

14. The package of claim 11 in which the internal insert is adapted to accommodate the packaging of optional contents by having thereon certain fold lines and cuts which can be optionally folded to provide means for receiving said optional contents in said display package. 

1. A package for displaying selected product contents comprising: an outer box member having a pair of side panels, a pair of end panels, a set of front flaps and a set of rear flaps, said front flaps being folded inwardly on themselves to define an open end in said outer box member, said rear flaps engaging each other to enclose the end of the box opposite said open end; and an internal insert for mounting the product contents having first, second and third surfaces formed into a right triangular cross section, the first of said insert surfaces forming a side of the right triangle and disposed adjacent one of the side panels of said outer box member; the second of said insert surfaces forming a side of the right triangle disposed across the open end of the outer box member and a portion thereof engaging the ends of said front flaps to retain said insert in the outer box member, the third of said insert faces forming the hypotenuse of the right triangle extending angularly between said side panels of said outer box member, whereby the internal insert provides rigidity to the overall display package and said second surface serves as a means for attractively displaying certain selected contents through the open end of said outer box member.
 2. The package of claim 1 in which said outer box member and said internal insert are made from a corrugated cardboard material.
 3. The package of claim 2 in which the outer box member is formed from a single planar sheet provided with predetermined fold lines and cuts.
 4. The package of claim 2 in which the internal insert is formed from a single planar sheet provided with predetermined fold lines and cuts.
 5. The package of claim 4 in which openings are provided in one or more of the surfaces to accommodate the mounting of the product contents.
 6. The package of claim 4 in which said internal insert is adapted to receive an elastic plastic film thereover.
 7. The package of claim 4 in which the internal insert is adapted to accommodate the packaging of optional contents by having thereon certain fold lines and cuts which can be optionally folded to provide means for receiving said optional contents in said display package.
 8. A package for displaying a handle key lock assembly comprising: an outer box member having a pair of side panels, a pair of end panels, a set of front flaps and a set of rear flaps, said front flaps being folded inwardly on themselves to define an open end in said outer box member, said rear flaps engaging each other to enclose the end of the box opposite said open end; and an internal insert for mounting said handle key lock assembly having first, second and third surfaces formed into a right triangular cross section, the first of said insert surfaces forming a side of the right triangle and disposed adjacent one of the side panels of said outer box member; the second of said insert surfaces forming a side of the right triangle disposed across the open end of the outer box member and a portion thereof engaging the ends of said front flaps to retain said insert in the outer box member, the third of said insert faces forming the hypotenuse of said right triangle extending angularly between said side panels of said outer box member whereby the internal insert provides rigidity to the overall display package and said second surface serves as a means for attractively displaying the handle key lock through the open end of said outer box member.
 9. The package of claim 8 in which said outer box member and said internal insert are made from a corrugated cardboard material.
 10. The package of claim 9 in which the outer box member is formed from a single planar sheet provided with predetermined fold lines and cuts.
 11. The package of claim 9 in which the iNternal insert is formed from a single planar sheet provided with predetermined fold lines and cuts.
 12. The package of claim 11 in which openings are provided in one or more of the surfaces to accommodate the mounting of some of the components and mounting hardware for the handle key lock.
 13. The package of claim 11 in which said internal insert is adapted to receive an elastic plastic film thereover.
 14. The package of claim 11 in which the internal insert is adapted to accommodate the packaging of optional contents by having thereon certain fold lines and cuts which can be optionally folded to provide means for receiving said optional contents in said display package. 